◈ Celebration To Dzeth Friends
Dzeth felt a sense of pride as he walked through the academy hallways. He had finally passed, and he couldn't wait to tell his friends. As soon as he entered the common area, he saw Akanza, Hwang, and Syiro chatting near the benches.
"I passed," Dzeth said with a calm smile.
For a moment, there was silence. Then..
"You what?!" Hwang almost dropped his drink.
"Wait, wait, wait" Akanza stood up, his eyes wide. "You passed? That underground ruins mission?"
Syiro blinked before grinning. "Hah! I knew it. This guy is crazy."
Hwang shook his head, still in disbelief. "How the hell did you finish that so fast?"
Dzeth shrugged. "It wasn't that hard."
Akanza sighed, crossing his arms. "Man… You make it sound too easy."
"But hey, congrats," Hwang added, patting Dzeth's shoulder. "That's huge."
Syiro smirked. "Since we're celebrating, let's go have dinner later."
Dzeth hesitated. "I was planning to sleep early."
Syiro nudged him. "Come on, man. You passed. We should enjoy this."
Dzeth glanced at Hwang and Akanza. "Let's all go, then."
Syiro's expression changed slightly. "Just you and me."
Dzeth narrowed his eyes. "Are you… embarrassed?"
"What? No!" Syiro looked away. "It's just... ugh, never mind."
Hwang laughed. "Oh, this is getting interesting."
Dzeth smirked. "Alright, alright. I'll go."
-
◈ NIGHT – ON THE WAY TO DINNER
Dzeth walked along the dimly lit streets, heading toward the restaurant Syiro had mentioned. As he turned a corner, he spotted Syiro walking ahead.
Dzeth jogged up to him. "Yo."
Syiro glanced back. "You're early."
"You, too," Dzeth replied.
They walked side by side toward their destination, enjoying the quiet night. However, their peaceful stroll was soon interrupted.
Suddenly, a man dashed past them pursued by a group of police officers.
"A thief?" Dzeth muttered.
The man clutched a stolen bag, running as fast as he could.
Without a second thought, Dzeth sprinted after him.
"Damn it, really?" Syiro groaned before following.
The chase led them through narrow alleys, until the thief turned into an abandoned building.
Syiro stopped, panting. "Wait give me a second."
"You should stay here," Dzeth said. "I'll handle it."
Syiro exhaled sharply. "Fine, just be careful."
Dzeth stepped inside.
-
◈ THE BASEMENT
The air inside was heavy with dust and decay. Dzeth carefully followed the thief down a set of stairs, leading to a dark basement.
Something felt off.
Then
A deep voice echoed through the room.
"You led someone here, fool."
Dzeth's eyes widened as he saw the thief kneeling in front of a dark figure.
"I I'm sorry, Boss! I didn't mean to"
A clawed hand slashed through the air.
Blood splattered.
The thief collapsed.
Dead.
Dzeth's heart pounded as he realized
"That's a Curse."
Just then, Syiro appeared at the doorway.
The creature turned toward them.
"I am Shift Cursed," it said. "And you've made a terrible mistake coming here."
Suddenly, the entire basement changed.
Doors.
Endless doors appeared in every direction.
Dzeth reached for one and opened it only to find another door behind it.
Syiro rushed forward, trying the same. "What the hell is this?"
"A trap," Dzeth muttered.
Shift Cursed chuckled. "This is my Room Technique. There is no escape."
Syiro groaned, already exhausted from running. "I swear, I hate this kind of stuff."
Dzeth continued opening doors. One after another.
Then, after countless attempts, one door finally led somewhere else.
A massive chamber.
Filled with Grade A Curses.
Syiro inhaled sharply. "Oh, hell no."
Dzeth stepped forward. "Stay back. I'll handle this."
He unsheathed his sword.
-
◈ THE BATTLE
The Curses lunged.
Dzeth vanished.
In an instant
Slashes of golden light filled the air.
One. Two. Three.
Dzeth moved like a blur, cutting down the Curses effortlessly.
Syiro could barely keep up with his speed. "I'll never get used to this."
Within minutes, the battlefield fell silent.
Every Curse had been eliminated.
Dzeth exhaled.
Syiro wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Alright. Let's get out of here."
But Dzeth wasn't done.
He kept opening more doors.
More battles. More Curses.
Again. Again. Again.
Until
The 158th door.
Shift Cursed gasped, his breathing ragged. His power was nearly depleted.
Dzeth opened the final door and saw him.
The EX-Grade Curse trembled.
He dropped to his knees.
"I... I surrender."
Syiro's eyes widened. "Did that thing just... bow?"
Dzeth took a slow step forward. "I won't kill a Curse that doesn't harm others."
A flicker of hope crossed Shift Cursed's face.
Then
CRACK.
Dzeth's body jerked.
Pain.
A sharp spike impaled him from below.
Shift Cursed grinned wickedly.
"You're too weak."
He lunged toward Syiro.
His claw wrapped around Syiro's throat, lifting him off the ground.
Syiro choked, blood spilling from his mouth.
Dzeth's vision blurred.
Everything slowed.
-
To be continued...»